The Bartholomew Foundation seeks a creative and entrepreneurial Executive Director to steward Sonoma’s beloved 375-acre Bartholomew Park and Bartholomew Estate Winery that together preserve and celebrate the birthplace of California’s premium wine industry.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Located in Sonoma Valley, the Bartholomew Foundation is a unique nonprofit stewarding one of the most important locations in U.S. wine history and its surrounding landscape.
The Bartholomew Foundation owns and operates Bartholomew Park—375 acres of free, publicly accessible hiking trails, lawns, and picnic areas, as well as the historic Haraszthy Vineyard and Villa sites—a sanctuary where visitors can connect with nature and history just minutes from Sonoma Plaza. As directed by the Bartholomews, the Foundation also owns and operates the Bartholomew Estate Winery and Vineyards within the Park to preserve the property’s viticultural legacy. Proceeds from the Winery are expected to fund much of the Park’s operating budget, creating a unique social impact model that blends history, conservation, hospitality, and community engagement while allowing its modest endowment to grow to fund future needs.
The Foundation seeks its first-ever Executive Director to lead the Foundation’s Winery and Park operations with a creative, compelling, and inclusive unified vision.
The Bartholomew Foundation brings the history of California winemaking to life while stewarding historic gardens, trails, and wildlands for the enjoyment of all.
The Bartholomew Foundation’s Park and Estate Winery operates on the site where Count Agoston Haraszthy—widely regarded as the father of California’s premium wine industry—launched his pioneering winery in 1857. When Antonia and Frank Bartholomew purchased the abandoned property in 1943, Antonia vowed to “return the great name of Haraszthy and his tradition of fine winemaking to the wine trade.” This is exactly what she did.
Antonia and Frank dedicated themselves to preserving and improving the property and its rich history, including acres of rolling hills and the Buena Vista Castle’s mini Golden Gate Park. Antonia wanted the community to be able to experience the same joy and fulfillment this land had brought to their lives.
To ensure the property’s restored wine legacy would never again be forgotten and to keep the Park’s grounds and 300 acres of wildlands accessible to the public, the Bartholomews established the Bartholomew Foundation, including a mandate for an operating winery and vineyards. Maintaining the Park’s gardens, wildlands, and historic legacy is an ongoing and costly endeavor, making the Winery’s success essential to the Park’s survival.
The Bartholomew Estate Winery is 100% Foundation-owned, with all proceeds supporting and sustaining the Park and the Foundation’s mission.
The Bartholomew Estate Winery produces 3,000–5,000 cases annually, with four Estate varietals and 11 wines. Currently, these wines are available exclusively at the Winery or through its wine club (and, occasionally, at beloved Sonoma restaurants). The donation you can drink, every sip helps to ensure this glorious place will continue to thrive and welcome visitors again and again.